Letter: Palestinians need single leadership

To the editor

Published 8:55 pm, Tuesday, December 18, 2012

It is my opinion that the Palestinian people have long suffered because of leaders who deny reality and lack political courage.

For example, in July 2000, President Bill Clinton convened a Peace Summit including Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasir Arafat. Mr. Barak offered Mr. Arafat a comprehensive peace plan. Mr. Arafat rejected the plan and left the negotiations without making a counteroffer.

Sadly, reaching peace today is much more complicated than in Mr. Arafat's time because the Palestinians now have two sets of leaders: Hamas in the Gaza Strip; and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. Recent events in Gaza and at the United Nations have only harshened the lives of Palestinians and hindered their national aspirations.

Regarding Gaza, Hamas leaders characterized the brokered cease-fire with Israel as a victory. More than 160 Palestinians were killed during the conflict, and numerous military and civilian facilities were destroyed. Israel suffered much fewer casualties and much less infrastructure damage. The reality of the conflict was that Gaza residents suffered much more than the Israelis and gained no concrete benefits.

At the U.N. General Assembly, a resolution was passed upgrading U.N. status for the Palestinian Authority. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas returned to the West Bank declaring a victory for the Palestinians.

Israel regarded the U.N. resolution as a violation of the peace process that requires all outstanding issues to be resolved by negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

Israel will now withhold tax money it collects for the Palestinian Authority to pay for debts owed to the Israel Electric Corp. The reality of the U.N. vote is that now life in the West Bank will be more difficult.

Efforts to form a unity government between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority have thus far failed. There must be a single government and voice representing the Palestinian people. This voice must be one of negotiation and coexistence. The Palestinian people must demand this of their leadership if they are to improve their lives and gain statehood.